Bolivia: Annan sends special envoy in support of peaceful elections this weekend

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who has closely followed developments in Bolivia ever since street protests led to the resignation of President Carlos Mesa earlier this year, is sending a senior envoy to the Andean country to express his support for peaceful and democratic elections this weekend.

Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Angela Kane is expected to meet with current President Eduardo Rodriguez on Thursday. Mr. Rodriguez, head of Bolivia's Supreme Court, was sworn in as President in June after months of protests.

Since March, Mr. Annan has issued several statements urging Bolivians to resolve differences over national interests peacefully. In June he sent Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs José Antonio Ocampo to assess how the UN could help the country as it tackled the political transition and economic issues.